Friday 31 October 2008

Serie A - Week 10: Weekend Preview

High-flyers Udinese and Napoli are enjoying the view from the summit of Serie A but both clubs are refusing to get carried away with the praise.

The two teams have both won six out of nine games this campaign, losing only once.

Udinese's triumph at Catania and Napoli's convincing victory over Reggina on Wednesday night ensured they both remained joint top after Inter's goalless draw at Fiorentina.


"It's great to be leading the standings," admitted Udinese coach Pasquale Marino. "But we have to be realistic, there are great teams behind us.

"The way I see it, we still need to collect 20 points to avoid relegation."

Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis also agrees it is early days yet despite the euphoria following their impressive start to the campaign.

"Our aim for the time being is to remain in the top seven and play in the UEFA Cup next season," he said. "Perhaps in three years' time we can consider fighting for a Champions League spot."

While Udinese face an easier battle when they host Genoa, who have failed to win on the road this campaign, Napoli must brace themselves for a tougher challenge.

The Partenopei travel to the San Siro on Sunday night to face in-form AC Milan, who are just one point behind them after recording their fourth consecutive triumph against Siena in midweek.

Inter coach Jose Mourinho will be desperate for his side to end a winless week on Saturday when they meet Reggina at the Stadio Oreste Granillo.

The reigning champions, who dropped to fourth, were held to goalless draws by both Genoa and Fiorentina.

Roma will be fully rested when they take on a reinvigorated Juventus in Turin later on Saturday night as their midweek home game against Sampdoria was postponed for bad weather in the Italian capital.

The Giallorossi, who have lost their last three league games, are well aware that a defeat could drop them into the relegation zone.

Luciano Spalletti's side are just one point clear of 18th-place Bologna while Juve have climbed to ninth.

Fiorentina will be without suspended striker Alberto Gilardino, who is Serie A's top scorer with seven goals, when they meet Siena in a Tuscan showdown.

Lazio will be looking to build on their recent success when they entertain Catania at the Stadio Olimpico.

Chievo will be searching for their first win on the road against Palermo at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.

Cagliari know they cannot afford a defeat against newly-promoted Bologna if they wish to avoid sliding to the bottom three positions.

The Sardinian outfit, just one point clear of their opponents, hold the last safety position.

Atalanta will fancy their chances when they take on a Lecce side who have failed to win in their last four matches.

Torino face Sampdoria, determined to clinch their first win on their travels after four failed attempts.

1 comment:

  1. Forza Milan!!!

    Will be great to beat Napoli and edge closer to the top of the table!!! not that it'll be easy.

    http://www.patsfootballpage.blogspot.com

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